SPECIALIST counsellors who helped the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks have visited the North-East to talk about their experiences.

Four volunteers at Cruse Bereavement Care attended a conference of the Darlington and Tees Valley branches of the organisation.

The counsellors were invited by the Home Office to travel to New York to help people in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The conference was held to allow volunteers to share experiences and build on lessons learnt in trauma management and bereavement support.

It also provided an opportunity to investigate how large numbers of people can be supported after traumatic events.

Anne Viney, chief executive of Cruse UK, said: "The aim of the conference day was to promote the essential care needed by the bereaved and those people who work to support them.

"We also considered Cruse's role in the vent of a large traumatic occurrence in the North-East and consider how Cruse would contribute in the aftermath of such an incident."

International speaker and author Ted Bowman was the key speaker. He accompanied volunteers in presentations and workshops.

The conference, which also promoted the launch of the Tees Valley area of Cruse, was held at Morton Park conference centre, Darlington.